7.3 Impact on families, education, and livelihoods

Internment camps tore Japanese American families apart, eroding parental authority and sparking intergenerational conflicts. Education in camps was makeshift, with inadequate facilities and a teacher shortage. These disruptions had long-lasting effects on family dynamics and academic progress.

The economic impact of internment was devastating, with forced property sales and asset freezes. Post-war, Japanese Americans faced housing and employment discrimination. Community rebuilding efforts re-established cultural institutions and pushed for legal redress, balancing assimilation with preserving heritage.

Family and Social Disruption

Disruption of Japanese American families

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• Forced relocation tore families apart sent members to different camps disrupted traditional structure
• Parental authority eroded as children gained independence in camp life reversed dynamics due to language barriers
• Intergenerational conflicts arose from differing acculturation rates between Issei and Nisei clashed traditional Japanese values with American camp culture
• Long-term psychological effects included trauma and stress from incarceration impacted identity formation and self-esteem
• Post-war family reunification challenged by difficulty re-establishing bonds adjusting to changed dynamics

Education in internment camps

• Inadequate facilities used makeshift classrooms in barracks lacked proper teaching materials (textbooks, desks)
• Teacher shortage led to reliance on internees as instructors challenged recruitment of external educators
• Curriculum adapted integrated American and Japanese elements focused on patriotism and civic education
• Extracurricular activities included sports and cultural clubs (baseball, taiko drumming) student-led newspapers served as coping mechanisms
• Higher education access restricted outside camps National Japanese American Student Relocation Council worked to place students in colleges
• Long-term impacts disrupted academic progress for many students created challenges reintegrating into mainstream schools post-war

Economic and Post-War Challenges

Economic impact of internment

• Forced property sales led to loss of homes businesses and farmland (strawberry farms, fishing boats) exploited by opportunistic buyers
• Asset freezes restricted access to bank accounts and savings hindered financial management from camps
• Livelihoods and professional status lost disrupted careers and businesses devalued skills and expertise
• Economic exploitation within camps imposed low-wage labor limited opportunities in isolated locations
• Post-internment financial struggles included:
  1. Challenges reclaiming lost property
  2. Difficulty securing loans or credit for rebuilding
  3. Starting over with limited resources

Post-war rebuilding challenges

• Housing discrimination in markets led to formation of new Japanese American enclaves (Little Tokyo, Japantown)
• Employment discrimination hindered finding jobs matching pre-war skills relied on ethnic networks for work
• Community rebuilding efforts re-established cultural and religious institutions (Buddhist temples, Japanese language schools) created support networks
• Legal battles challenged discriminatory laws pushed for redress and reparations (Civil Liberties Act of 1988)
• Intergenerational trauma impacted subsequent generations developed community-based mental health resources
• Cultural preservation balanced assimilation with maintaining heritage emerged Japanese American cultural festivals and events (Obon, Cherry Blossom Festival)